1. Assistive Technology for Employment

Employment Action

The Employment Action Center offers employment and disability counselling for persons with disabilities. It offers assistive technology for those wishing to return to work through the Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC), which is a joint project of the Neil Squire Society and the Vancouver Foundation's Disability Supports for Employment Fund. The Vancouver Foundation manages this $20 million dollar endowment from the Government of British Columbia.

Address:
300 - 1268 5th Avenue
Prince George, BC, V2L3L2

Contacts Page

2. Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC)

The Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC) network is a partnership of community organizations in seven B.C. communities that trains people in how to use assistive technology, and helps them trial and evaluate a range of alternative computer input and output devices. Coordinated by the Neil Squire Society, it also maintains a website to provide information on assistive technology and ergonomic equipment. Visit the website for the listing of locations and other information on how to access services.

Address:
220 - 2250 Boundary Road
Burnaby, BC, V5M3Z3

Contacts Page

3. Assistive Technology Services, Career and Employment Services, Computer Training, Consumer Products Support, Low Vision Services

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

The first step in accessing CNIB services and programs is registration and referral through local CNIB offices or associated community agencies. CNIB offers a variety of programs including assistive technology, employment, low vision services, computer training, counselling and support services, travel and independent living support, and a library for people with a print disability. CNIB also provides consumer product support, which allows people with vision loss to become familiar with devices before buying.

Address:
100-5055 Joyce Street
Vancouver, BC, V5R6B2

Contacts Page

4. BC Paraplegic Association

The BC Paraplegic Association (BCPA) offers a wide variety of services to support people with mobility impairments. The Association does not loan or take donations of equipment, but individuals may post items needed or for sale on the classified section of their website. The website also hosts an online resource database. A limited number of grants are available for equipment through the BC Paraplegic Foundation - applications can be obtained through BCPA. BCPA members are given priority for BCPF grants.

Address:
780 SW Marine Drive
Vancouver, BC, V6P5Y7

Contacts Page

5. Community Access Program (CAP) Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC)

Disability Resource Centre of Victoria

The Disability Resource Centre of Victoria hosts a number of programs, including information referral, peer support, skills development and disability parking permits. They may provide referrals for equipment and assistive devices. The Community Access Program (CAP) provides access to the internet for people who may not have computers or internet access. Assistive technology, including hardware and software accommodates various needs of computer users. The Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC) helps people evaluate a range of alternative computer equipment, offers the ability to try out and evaluate equipment over time and the opportunity to train with the assistive technology.

Address:
817a Fort Street
Victoria, BC, V8W1H6

Contacts Page

ATEC Email: atec@drcvictoria.com

6. Disability Supports for Employment Fund (DSEF)

Vancouver Foundation

This fund supports initiatives by non-profit, charitable organizations that will promote the social and economic independence of individuals with disabilities.

Address:
1200-555 West Hastings Street Box 12132, Harbour Centre
Vancouver, BC, V6B4N6

Contacts Page

7. EDGE Program

I AM CARES Society

The EDGE Program offers training and support to job seekers who have disabilities or chronic conditions. It is a four week program with graduated hours and on-going supported job search. It provides assistance handling employment and disability related issues and access to an individualized job developer. It may provide adaptive technology and equipment for use on-site when needed.

Address:
Head Office (Burnaby) Suite 102 - 5623 Imperial Street
Burnaby, BC, V5J1G1

Contacts Page

See link for contact information for Surrey, North Shore and Vancouver locations.

8. Employment Planning and Employment Search

Employment Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities

The Employment Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities offers services to persons with disabilities or chronic health conditions. It provides: case management/resource coordination, assistance with vocational and medical assessments, career counselling, job search and coaching, assistance with access to training.

Address:
330 - 10362 King George Highway
Surrey, BC, V3T2W5

Contacts Page

9. Employment Programs for Persons with Disabilities (EPPD)

The Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities (EPPD), through a contract with Assistive Technology B.C. (AT-BC), provides assistive technology resources including the loans of assistive technology, training, repair and trouble shooting on the use of assistive technology to individuals who have a disability that is the primary barrier to finding and maintaining paid or volunteer employment. It may also provide other equipment and supports, dependant on circumstances. The individual does not have to be in receipt of Income Assistance or Disability Assistance.

Contacts Page

For residents of Vancouver Island (including Powell River), Fraser region (including Hope, Chilliwack, Sechelt), and the North: WCG International HR Solutions 1 866 689-7150.......For residents of Vancouver Coastal Region (including Bella Coola, Squamish) and the Interior (including Cariboo, Okanagan, Kootenays): BC Society of Training for Health and Employment Opportunities (THEO BC) 1 866 377-3670.......Other (To serve mostly the lower mainland): Mental Health Impairment:THEO BC 1 866 377-3670.........Physical or Mobility Impairment: Neil Squire Society 604 473-9363

10. Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI)

Ministry of Housing & Social Development and the BC Personal Supports Network

The EATI provides equipment and assistive technology, and funding for related services such as assessment, trialing, repair and training, for people with disabilities who would like to work. You may be eligible for the EATI if you are a BC resident who is 18 years of age or older and you are: unemployed and ineligible for Employment Insurance/reachback benefits OR employed and looking to upgrade essential skills such as literacy or numeracy. This program is funded by the Government of Canada through the federal-provincial Labour Market Agreement. Please contact the program for more information.

Address:
9007 Shaughnessy St.
Vancouver, BC, V6P 6R9

11. Hearing Loss Resource Program, Technical Aids Program

Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre

Assistive listening devices and alerting equipment for individuals with hearing loss are available through the Hearing Loss Resource Program. Devices include personal listening systems, amplifying telephones, TTYs, amplifying systems for the TV and alerting systems for the home. There is a small loan program for clients to try equipment at home before purchasing. The centre also provides education, counselling, group support, employment and vocational services, interpreting and captioning services, as well as family and community support and volunteer opportunities.

Address:
300 - 1627 Fort Street
Victoria, BC, V8R1H8

Contacts Page

Phone: 250 592-8144 TTY: 250 592-8147 Toll-Free TTY: 1 877 667-5488 Nanaimo Office 205 - 55 Victoria Road Nanaimo, BC V9R 5N9 Phone: 250 753-0999 Toll-Free: 1 877 424-3323 TTY: 250 753-0977 Toll-Free TTY: 1 877 424-3323 Fax: 250 753-9601E-Mail: nanaimo@idhhc.ca

12. Neil Squire Solutions

Neil Squire Solutions trains people in how to use assistive technology, and helps them trial and evaluate a range of alternative computer input and output devices. They also provide ergonomic assessments in workplaces or at home - as well as in their well-equipped 'lab'. As a social enterprise, many services are provided on a fee-for-service basis.

Address:
220 - 2250 Boundary Road
Burnaby, BC, V5M9T6

Contacts Page

13. Opportunities Fund

This program provides financial help through a contribution for employment services to people with disabilities. The purpose is to assist persons with disabilities to prepare for and obtain employment or self-employment as well as to develop the skills necessary to maintain that new employment.

Contacts Page

Applications are available through your local Service Canada Centre (see link for locations).

14. Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)

PLAN is a not-for-profit charity created by and for families who have a relative with a disability. Their goal is twofold: to ensure a safe and secure future for your relative with a disability and, in the process, to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind. In pursuit of this goal they are inspired by a simple but powerful vision: the vision of a good life for all people with disabilities and their families. PLAN provides assistance with future planning and network development.

Address:
260-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC, V5R5W2

Contacts Page

15. Pre-employment, Employment and CAP Programs

Free Rein Associates

Free Rein Associates provides pre-employment services to MHSD clients, in addition to offering the Community Assistance Program for self-referring clients. They offer training, self employment and targeted wage subsidy funding for any individual with a disability eligible to work in Canada. This may include funds for accommodations to the worksite, technology, assessments, counselling and other interventions. They provide all programs in Hope, Boston Bar and Merritt and provide BC employment in Hope Lillooett and Ashcroft.

Address:
347 Raab Street
Hope, BC, V0X1L4

Contacts Page

16. Services and Supports for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Community Living BC

Community Living BC (CLBC) provides a range of support services for adults with developmental disabilities, using either residential or family and day support services, or both. They may provide supports for many types of home living. They may also provide supports to enable individuals to learn to manage daily activities on their own. Other supports may include: employment supports and professional support.

Address:
7th Floor, Airport Square 1200 - West 73rd Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V6P6G5

Contacts Page

17. Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons

Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides a wide variety of services to support persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. These include: audiological assessments, ASL interpreters, employment counselling and other employment related services, selling TTYs, hearing aids and visual alert systems and repairing and providing some hearing aids. The MIS provides Sign Language interpreting services for deaf citizens and their health care providers on a 24hr 7 days a week basis throughout BC. For EMERGENCIES call the Medical Interpreting Service Emergency only line (24 hours / 7 days a week) and they will send an interpreter to the hospital as fast as possible.

Address:
2125 West 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V6K1X9

Contacts Page

LOWER MAINLAND: Voice: 604 736-7391...TTY: 604 736-2527...Fax: 604 736-4381....OKANAGAN: Phone: 250 763-3854...TTY: 250 763-3547...Fax: 250 763-7608....EMERGENCY: Voice (Vancouver):604 736-7039...Voice (Long Distance):1 877 736-7039...TTY (Vancouver):604 736-7078... TTY (Long Distance):1 877 736-7078...NON-EMERGENCY VANCOUVER: 604 736-7012...Toll-free:1 877 736-7012...TTY :604 736-7099...Fax: 604 736-7786... VANCOUVER ISLAND General & Emergencies: TTY (Victoria):250 592-8147...Voice (Victoria):250 592-8144....TTY Toll Free:1 877 667-5488...Voice Toll Free:1 877 667-5448

18. Workers' Advisers Office

The Workers Advisers Office provides advice, assistance and/or representation to injured workers concerning worker's compensation claim decisions or other issues they may have with WorkSafe BC.

Contacts Page

19. WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC

In the event of work-related injuries or diseases, WorkSafeBC works with the affected parties to provide return-to-work rehabilitation, compensation, health care benefits, and a range of other services.

Address:
PO Box 4700 Stn Terminal
Vancouver, BC, V6B1J1